Denying Medicaid expansion is costly to Tennessee residents

Why on earth are Gov. Bill Haslam and the Republican legislature turning down $1.4 billion in federal aid to expand our Medicaid program? They should give more thought to the consequences of this foolish decision.

Not only will 140,000 poor people remain uninsured, but the rest of us will also be negatively impacted. Tennesseans who pay federal taxes will have their tax dollars going to fund Medicaid in the states that have extended their programs, while we get nothing in return.

Furthermore, we will be paying higher medical bills, because uninsured people will continue to go to emergency rooms when they are ill or injured. This is the most expensive form of health care, and the costs will continue to be passed on to insured patients.

It seems our GOP governor and legislature are letting ideology and politics triumph over common sense.

Kathleen Ferris

Murfreesboro 37130

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Denying Medicaid expansion is costly to Tennessee residents

Why on earth are Gov. Bill Haslam and the Republican legislature turning down $1.4 billion in federal aid to expand our Medicaid program?